The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-15
FOR 'SHAKsPEARE'S TOMB.

The Vicar of Stra,ford Appeals to Americans
for Funds to Build q Vestry Hall.
New York Herald.
The gift of Mr. G. w Childs to the parish
rebuilding and strengthening the church. All
tourists visit the spot for here rests the body of
Stratford appeals once more to the poets ad-
mirers among wealthy and generous Americans
through the medium of the Herald
In his letter he gives some interesting details
of the proposed plans. which are best told n his
own words. He says. after speaking of Mr..
Childs's gift:
THE v1cARAGE, STRATFoRD-oN-AvoN.
To the Editor of the Herald:
Will you allow me now, through your widely
read columns, as the person charged more
especially with the care of the church in which
Shakspeare's dust reposes, to plead for another
gift of international friendship
We have lately been engaged in thoroughly
restoring the decayinc stone of the fabric of the
church under the care of one OF our most cele-
brated English architects, Mr.. Bodeley
This work is completed. and believe all
fear of the future collapse of the tower and spire
is laid rest.
But while preparing for this work some years
ago: when Mr. Butterfed adviser, we
discovered in the church-yard. the north side
of the chancei. a large subterranean vault, full
of human bones and skulls. The turf was Quite
level above 1t, and few of US. if any. recoliected
its existence,
Yet think it is of peculiar interest to all
Shakspearean students. Anyone who has Wis
tied the tomb will remember the lines inscribed
on the stone slab:
Good friend, for Jesus sake forbear
To dig the dust incosed here.
BEST be the man that spares these stones
And curst oe he that moves my bones
Now, may not these lines have been suggested
by the fact that inst outside the WALL within ten
feet of the grave, is this charnel-house full of
bouesl No doubt they were moved there when
room was required for new graves for fresh oc-
cupants. and it was the fear that the great poets
bones might be treated with similar indignity
that suggested the imprecation the slab.
Reference to old pictures shows that inn edi-
ately above this vault was a chamber or vestry
with a door opening INTO the chancel, used by
the clergy for robing etc. This was unfortun-
ately taken down about a century ago. There is
a curious reference to it it, our Vestry Minutes
Book, under date March IL, 1619-"The minis
We now propose, under the advice of our arch
itect to rebuild the ''studye, or perhaps should
say to build vestry where it stood The ar
rangements of the church m axe it desirable and
the committee experimenting the restoration
wish to proceed with it at once But we have
no money. and write this letter in hopes of in
teresting some of your readers and inducing an
admirer of Shakespeare to rival Mr.. Chids's gift.
and send us the Ell 200 or Ei, 500 which Is need
ed TO build this Shakspearean vestry hall. Our
plans are all ready, and will gladly send copies
OF them to anv who may desire to them.
hope the great interest taken by all Amer
leans in Shakspeares church will be accepted as
my excuse 10 troubling you with this letter and
that other American papers will, for love of the
poet, give publicity to my appeal Yours very
faithfully, G. ARBUTHNoT,
Vicar of Stratford ON Avon.